Expedited American Legion Bridge Replacement Supported By Fairfax Co.

FAIRFAX, VA — The Trump administration should expedite the replacement of the American Legion Memorial Bridge, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said this week. The bridge links Fairfax County and Montgomery County, Maryland, two of the region's most populous counties.

"The bridge plays a vital role in supporting regional mobility, freight movement, economic activity in the National Capital Region," Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (D-Dranesville) said, during the board's regular meeting on Tuesday. "Now more than 60 years old, the bridge faces significant capacity, operational and safety challenges. They're expected to intensify as regional travel demands continue to increase."

The Federal Highway Administration recently issued a request for information soliciting public input and proposals on innovative project delivery methods to ensure cost-effective and efficient reconstruction of the bridge. The deadline to comment and submit proposals for the project is Monday, Feb. 9.

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"Replacement of the bridge presents an opportunity to not only bring this critical asset into a state of good repair, but also to improve safety, support new transit connections between Maryland and Virginia, enhance transportation demand management strategies and expand bicycle and pedestrian connectivity across the Potomac River," Bierman said.

The supervisors voted unanimously to support a motion submitted by Bierman, directing Board Chair Jeff McKay (D-At-Large) to send a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation in support of FHWA's efforts to expedite replacement of the bridge. Scroll down to view the letter.

"This one's really important," Bierman said. "We need a new American Legion bridge. We need to figure this out."

In November, state, local and federal officials cut the ribbon on the $660 million 495 Express Lanes Extension project, which connected the existing 14-mile 495 Express lanes just north of Tysons, near the Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Access Road to the George Washington Memorial Parkway prior to the American Legion Bridge into Maryland.

In January, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to discuss the rising costs of the Francis Scott Key Bridge project, which has gone from initial estimates of under $2 billion in 2024 to as much as $5.2 billion, according to Maryland Matters.

During the meeting, Moore said he was open to receiving private funding for the replacement of the American Legion Bridge provided the agreement included expediting replacement of the Baltimore bridge, Maryland Matters reported.

This is the letter the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to send to Duffy.

February 3, 2026

The Honorable Sean P. Duffy Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590

Reference: FHWA RFI (Docket No. FHWA–2025–0335) – Expediting Delivery of the American Legion Memorial Bridge

Dear Secretary Duffy:

On behalf of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I am writing to express our support for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) efforts to expedite the replacement of the American Legion Memorial Bridge.

The 60-year-old American Legion Bridge provides a critical freight and passenger connection between Maryland and Virginia, and its replacement would bring this essential asset into a state of good repair while enhancing safety and mobility. The Board has long recognized that capacity
and operational challenges at the American Legion Bridge and other Potomac River crossings are among the region’s most significant transportation priorities. The need to cross the Potomac River creates major transportation challenges in the National Capital Region. As a direct
connection between two of the region’s most populous counties, the American Legion Bridge is among the most heavily used and congested crossings. Congestion at the bridge also contributes to cut-through traffic on local roadways, affecting nearby residential neighborhoods during peak
travel times. With traffic volumes expected to continue to increase, the chokepoint created by this bridge requires long-term solutions to help those traveling between Maryland and Virginia.

A new bridge would support the implementation of new transit connections between Maryland and Virginia and the enhancement of transportation demand management to reduce singleoccupancy vehicle travel in the corridor. It will also provide the opportunity to include expanded bicycle and pedestrian connections between multimodal facilities in Maryland and Virginia.

These expanded transportation options are consistent with improvements and priorities identified by our local governmental partners in the region.

Fairfax County appreciates FHWA’s efforts to solicit input on alternative project delivery methods, innovative contracting approaches, and other strategies that could accelerate delivery of a replacement project. Given the bridge’s regional and national significance, exploring flexible and forward-looking options is both appropriate and necessary.

We encourage FHWA to continue close coordination with Virginia, Maryland, and regional partners as it evaluates responses to this RFI and advances next steps. Fairfax County will continue to support efforts that advance the timely replacement of this critical structure, a key regional conduit for travel and economic activity between Virginia and Maryland and the continued economic vitality of the Metropolitan Washington region.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Gregg Steverson, Director, Fairfax County Department of Transportation, at Gregg.Steverson@fairfaxcounty.gov, or 703-877-5600. We remain willing to assist in efforts to advance this important infrastructure
project.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey C. McKay
Chairman

cc: Members, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Bryan J. Hill, County Executive
Jennifer Miller, Deputy County Executive